'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Season 5 Finale Recap: "Charmaine Gets Engaged, Ryan Drops Another Bomb"

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The best thing about the finale of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' was Neek proposing to Charmaine. Too bad they couldn't enjoy the moment long before Bella brought the Van and Charmaine rumor back to light. The sad thing is Ryan dropped a bomb that left Charmaine feeling clueless, Bella jobless and Van emotionless.

While enjoying the Safari Neek surprised Charmaine with a proposal with her close family and friends. Although Charmaine already knew what was going to happen she didn't expect to see her parents. On another note Bella just had to ruin the happy moment by bringing up the rumor about Van and Charmaine hooking up in Vegas.

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Charmaine wanted to address the rumor but Van and the others felt she should have just let it go it it wasn't true. Seriously, anyone who is accused of doing something they did not do has a right to defend themselves. However, Van is the undercover man because didn't he also get accused of kissing Lily?

If you can remember during season 4 of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' finale Ryan took over what the crew he left behind named Loyal Ink and renamed it 9Mag with Phor by his side. On mid-season finale which aired in May, Ryan totally blindsided the crew when he opened a new 9Mag and put Van in charge of the old 9Mag. Now here we are again on the finale of season 5 where Ryan has dropped another bomb but this time used Don to do his dirty work.

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Ryan said he felt bad for Bella because she has a child but if that were true he would not have done that without giving her heads up. Charmaine has other income. Don and Phor still have a place at the new 9Mag but Bella is the one who is left out with no other options. Van wasn't at all shocked by Ryan's actions. He took it with a grain of salt and kept it moving.

Was Ryan right for letting the shop go so suddenly without a warning to the crew? True enough it's his shop but it's a way to do things. He could have done that in a better way rather than embarrassing them. It's a shame that noone speaks up for these ladies. Ryan brought Bella in just like he brought Lily in and let Charmaine come back. He needs to be held accountable for his actions. And let's not forget about he did Kat! Not good for a business man because just like he don't forget, the viewers and potential tattoo seekers don't either!

Tamara M. Anderson

@mahoganymagazin

@mstekeyla75

'Black Ink Crew Chicago Review: "Did Lily And Van Play While Jenn Was Away?"

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Now it's bad enough Lily initiated a fight with 9Mag that cost Phor an important opportunity. If that wasn't enough she didn't take responsibility for her part in it. To make matters worse she made an accusation towards Van that got everyone wondering did he or didn't he!

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Van of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago'

Photo by Google Images
Lily and Reese of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago'

Following the fight between Loyal Ink and 9Mag Jenn tried to get Lily to own up to what she did. Lily wasn't trying to hear Jenn because she's just Van's girlfriend. She didn't care to hear about what Charmaine had to say because she knows nothing about tattoos. Lily felt noone was on her side. She felt like Don was choosing Junior over her. Since 

Charmaine invited Lily and Reese on the trip to resolve their issues she wanted them to stay. Lily and Reese camped outside in a tent while the others slept indoors. The following day Van tried to get Lily and Reese to come back to the group and continue working at Loyal Ink. He also threw his wife under the bus to do it. Later on that evening Lily confronted the group and told them how she felt. Before she and Reese walked away from Loyal Ink for good Lily dropped a bomb. She claim Van came over to her place and tried to kick it with her while he and Jenn were still together. She added that he reached in for a kiss and she kiss him back. Van denied that any of what Lily said happened.

Did Van and Lily pull a Don and Charmaine? If what Lily says is true it will eventually come out. If it is true can Jenn really get mad? Or is it even game?

Tune in to 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Wednesdays on VH1!

Tamara M. Anderson

@mstekeyla

@mahoganymagazin 

''Black Ink Crew Chicago' S4 Recap: "Danielle Breaks Off Engagement And The Old 9Mag Crew Confrtonts Ryan"

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That was real smooth the way Danielle was acting like everything was all good when Terrance came home. He had no clue what was about to go down because he thought he was off the hook. After Danielle revealed that she had proof  about he and velvet via text messages Terrance had no choice but to come clean. Was Velvet being messy? Of course, she was being messy but it was better that she knew then rather than after she said "I Do"!

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Danielle and Terrance Black Ink Crew Chicago

Terrance had already lied to Danielle saying nothing happened between he and the stripper, but when she mentioned the messages he had no choice but to man up. However, for Terrance it might be too late for the "I'm sorries" and the "I f****d ups". It was pretty clear that the engagement is off when Danielle took off that ring showing him jus how he has her f****d up!

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Ryan Henry Black Ink Crew Chicago

Despite the drama between Ryan and his so-called family he left behind Lily came up with a good idea to make money by going to the Chicago tattoo convention. They came up with a name called Loyal Mag but had no clue Ryan was going to be at the event. On top of that Charmaine was shocked when she saw Ryan who opened a new 9Mag, at the convention with a new crew. With Phor and Don gone that left Lily and Van left to do tattoos. Van was in a good mood until Charmaine broke the news about Ryan with a new crew. 

Ultimately, Ryan was forced to face the old 9Mag crew and his girl Rachel had his back all the way. She made it very clear that if they not messing with Ryan she ain't messing with them. She was riding for her man! You go Rachel!

Lily tried to talk to Ryan first about how he left her behind without saying a word. She wanted answers and she got what she wanted. Did she like the response? You can tell by the look on her face that she wasn't happy at all. Van and Charmaine was trying to get answers as well but Ryan blew them off like they were nothing to him. Van walked away even thought he wanted to punch Ryan in the face. Had they not have been in a public place he probably would have!

Sadly, Ashley took her youngest son with her to Texas leaving DJ behind. She wanted to get away from Don after all that has happened. Can you blame her?

On next week's episode of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Lily tries to smash Danielle's face in. Lily feels Danielle shouldn't have a say so about what happens going forward with the shop. Danielle and Charmaine feels she has as much to do with the shop as Lily. 

Also Ryan invites Junior to the new 9Mag offering him the manager position. Junior wants to be a tattoo artist. He is on his hustle and making moves. Lily said she needed to work. Maybe she should have did what Junior did and still helped with Loyal Ink.

Will Junior accept Ryan's proposal?

Stay tuned for more 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Wednesday's on Vh1!


Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

'Black Ink Crew Chicago' S4 Premiere Recap: "Can Van Save 9Mag"

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Black Ink Crew Chicago Cast

The new season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' has began and it's already a mess in 9Mag!

Out of spite for what Ryan considered family turning against him, he decided to destroy the tattoo shop leaving Van to pick up the pieces. Ryan made sure noone was going to make any money at the shop. Although Charmaine still has her weekend job at WGCI and Phor is making big moves in his music career, the rest of the employees don't have a back up plan.

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Ryan Henry

Ryan had no remorse for what he did to 9Mag. He felt everyone turned against him because of what transpired between he and Kat. He felt as if Van took the females side over his. Ryan made it clear that he wants nothing else to do with 9Mag. He also revealed that the lease would be up in a week. With Ryan walking away will Van be able to save 9Mag?

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Don and Ashley

Looks like Don is living up to his male thottish ways again! He then got himself in some more trouble but this time it might be over for him for good. Don cheated on his wife Ashley of two years and he didn't even try to hide it. Don already cheated on Ashley with Charmaine, had a baby on Ashley with a random chick, had a fling the day before he got married and let a chick give him head on snap chat.  Unfortunately, Ashley isn't so forgiving this time. She said Don crossed the line this time but he crossed the line a long time ago when he had sex with Charmaine in the first season.

Now that 9Mag is on it's last leg what is Van and the rest of the crew going to do now? From the looks of things like Richard aka O S**t of 'Black Ink Crew New York', Don can't afford to unemployed with three kids and a possible fourth!


Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Season Episode 1&2: "King Louie Guest Stars, Van Gets Out Of Jail"

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On the premiere of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' secrets were revealed, Ryan was blindsided and Kat and Charmaine got into a physical confrontation. Two well-known Chicago celebrities stopped by 9Mag and a new tattoo artist was introduced. Van was released from jail and the real Chris Gardner  got tatted up.

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Charmaine, Ryan, Kat and Don of
Black Ink Crew Chicago

In the first episode of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' rapper King Louie stopped by to get tatted but not by Ryan or Phor. When King Louie said he was getting tatted by Kat, Ryan was surprised. He had no idea that Kat was tattooing clients upstairs. Ryan approached Phor and Kat in regards to the rent. They both informed him that they wasn't aware they had to pay for Van's half. While Kat was expressing herself to Ryan, Charmaine took it upon her self to remove Kat's things. Kat wasn't having it so she attacked Charmaine. Ryan made it clear to Kat that she didn't have to no longer be in the shop since she was doing shadiness business upstairs.

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Rapper King Louie
Black Ink Crew Chiago

Meanwhile Don and Ashley went shopping to furnish their new home. Although they appeared to be in a good place that will all be shattered real soon. Danielle and Charmaine found out Don was dipping out on Ashley with another woman and there could be another baby. Don shared this information with his brother Phor and decided to take a DNA test. Ashley doesn't know yet but when she finds out Charmaine is going to be the first motherly suspect on her list.

In the second episode of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Ryan hired a new tattoo artist named Junior. It was a shocking to all the employees but Danielle took it personal. As soon as Kat stopped by she ran to Kat and revealed that a new artist had taken her spot and Charmaine threw her drawings in the garbage. Danielle who is suppose to be Charmaine's cousin had Kat's back all the way. Maybe she missed the part where Kat chose to leave the shop and do her own thing. What else is Ryan suppose to do if his artists are not paying their share? Charmaine should have stayed out of it but she didn't so Kat attacked her again. Charmaine may have been wrong for touching Kat's items but where was Danielle, Charmaine's cousin, when Kat was attacking her. How can you defend one wrong act but not the other?

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Van released from jail on
Black Ink Crew Chicago

Photo by Google Images
Van and friends of
Black Ink Crew Chicago

Before Van who went to jail towards the end of the first season was released, Ryan and Charmaine took his daughter shopping at AKIRA. Charmaine wanted her to be the mini version of her while Ryan was trying to keep her conservative and appropriate for her father. When it was time to go get Van, everyone including Kat was on the Chicago prison bus. As soon as Ryan spotted Van across the street they all ran to greet him with hugs.There were drinks and strippers ready to show him what he's been missing. Despite all the chaos that was going on between Ryan, Kat and Charmaine they were all excited to have Van back. 


Also on the premiere of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Chicago Bears linebacker Lamar Houston and the real Chris Gardner stopped by 9Mag. Just in case people don't know, actor Will Smith played Chris Gardner in the movie 'Pursuit of Happiness' with his son Jalen Smith who played Chris Gardner Jr.

The new season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' has just begun. Catch up with the reality series Mondays on Vh1!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Season 2 Preview: "New Rules, New Players, New Love"

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Last season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' things left off with Van going to jail, Kat leaving 9Mag and Don and Ashley getting engaged. 

This season on 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' two new tattoo artists named Cobra Kat and Junior joins 9Mag. There will also be partying like never before, secrets will be revealed, rivalries will be formed and unexpected hook-ups won't go unnoticed. 

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Don and Ashley
Black Ink Crew Chicago

On top of that Ashley who made several appearances on the first season is now an official cast member of the reality series. Don and Ashley are set to get married but a wrench has been thrown in the mix. Don who messed around on Ashley with Charmaine, allegedly has another child with another woman.

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Kat Tat Black Ink Crew Chicago

While Van is away, Kat who left 9Mag has a new look and has taken her business upstairs unbeknownst to Ryan. Charmaine, the manager of the shop reveals to Ryan that Kat and Phor haven't been paying their share of the rent, which ultimately is what caused him to hire new editions to the shop. 

Charmaine is back and with a new look and tighter body.  She is still the same Charmaine who's not afraid to speak how she feels when it comes to the newbies. She and Danielle are still close but can't say the same for her and Kat. The beef between the two led to a physical confrontation that we will all see on this season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago'.

Phor and Kat may have had a thing last season but it seems like the Chicago rapper has moved on. With all the groupies vying for Phor's attention he isn't able to focus on his music or his business with 9Mag.

In the words of Ryan this season is going to be filled with new rules, new players and new love. So who is he referring to when he says new love? Well, we know it's not Danielle, because she's still with her boyfriend. Don and Ashley are engaged. So who could it be? Based on the preview it looks like Ryan and Charmaine are getting closer than usual. Wasn't it Ryan who said no fraternizing with co-workers? Thar rule was broken last season. So maybe that's one of the new rules.

Tune in to the new season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' beginning Monday, October 3 on Vh1!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Episode 7: Kat Addresses The Men At The Shop"

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On this week's episode of  'Black Ink Crew Chicago'   Danielle and Charmaine both revealed a secret. Phor finds out bad news about his absent father. Kat gets into a heated argument with Van and Ryan. Don gets Ashley to let him come back home.

In the wake of Kat going to the tattoo convention in New York the fellas were still upset with the fact that she didn't support the shop by using 9Mag instead of Kat the Tat. While they were in their feelings Kat was feeling good about her accomplishments as a tattoo artist.

No matter how many times Don denies having sex with Charmaine she continues to accept his text messages and sexual advances. Charmaine revealed to Danielle that Don was all over her after he disrespected her and treated her like trash in New York. Danielle also revealed a secret when she tole Charmaine that she and Ryan kissed after a drunken night. 

Phor and Don went to Mississippi to see Phor's father who was in a coma. He didn't know his father very well so he told him how he felt about his absence. Without a response from the father explaining why he wasn't there Phor still felt he got the closure he needed.

Meanwhile Don showed Ashley how sorry he was and how much he wanted to come home to his family. There were rose petals on the floor and he gave her roses. Ashley took Don back but how long will it last?

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After being gone for days from the shop Kat returned with an attitude. She didn't like the things she heard from Danielle and she addressed it. First it was Kat and Van in a screaming match and then Ryan had his say. Kat was left defending herself.  She was mad because Phor didn't have her back but where was Danielle and Charmaine?

During the argument Kat called Ryan a b***h several times which only made things worse.  As Ryan was trying to explain that their relationship was more than a business, Kat wasn't trying to hear it. She wanted them to understand that she had her own thing going on and they will either support her or not.

Things ended on a sour note between Ryan and Kat. She threatened to leave the shop since Ryan made it clear that they will only be about business  from now on. Will Kat leave the 9Mag? 

Stay tuned for more 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Mondays on VH1!

Tamara M. Anderson

@mstekeyla

'Black Ink Crew Chicagp' Coming Soon To VH1

Coming soon to VH1 is 'Black Ink Crew Chicago'! 

While many have become accustomed to 'Black Ink Crew' in New York, VH1 has put a spin on things by adding a new city to the mix. 

The cast for 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' includes Ryan who is the owner of 9Mag, tattoo artists Kat and Phor, Charmaine who is the event planner, Phor's little brother, Don, Danielle who is the receptionist and Van who happens to be a rival of Ryan's. 

'Black Ink Crew' in New York started out with Ceasar, Puma, Oh S**t, Sassy, Alex, Teddy, Walter and Dutchess. Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances Alex is no longer on the show. Sky and Donna are the latest editions who have been added to the series.

'Black Ink Crew Chicago' is set to premiere on October 26th on VH1!
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla